Ever since Rohit Sharma lost his ODI captaincy, social media has been filled with rumours about tensions between him and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Many also wondered whether Rohit still shared the same bond with new captain Shubman Gill.
However, all speculation ended on Sunday during the first ODI between India and Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth. A rain delay gave fans a glimpse of camaraderie inside the Indian dressing room.
Warm Conversations During Rain Delay
During the second rain interruption, Rohit was seen having a long chat with Gill. The two sat together in the dressing room, discussing the match and the conditions. Their serious expressions soon turned cheerful as they shared popcorn and joked around while waiting for the rain to stop.
Both players were seen smiling and occasionally looking up at the gloomy sky, hoping for the match to resume. The friendly interaction quickly went viral on social media, silencing rumours of any personal differences.
Gambhir Joins the Fun
Soon after, head coach Gautam Gambhir joined Rohit and Gill. The three shared light-hearted moments as Rohit showed something on his iPad to Gambhir. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also joined the discussion and listened attentively as the senior players spoke.
Their relaxed body language showed unity within the team, a strong contrast to the earlier claims of dressing-room friction.
Kohli’s Absence Adds to Curiosity
While the trio shared laughs, Virat Kohli’s absence from the dressing room caught attention. Fans noted that Kohli and Gambhir were not seen talking even during the nets session before the first ODI. This fueled curiosity about their current relationship, which has been a topic of debate in recent months.
Before the match, Shubman Gill addressed these rumours. He said that the truth was far from what people discussed online and that he shared a healthy bond with both Rohit and Virat. “The truth is completely different from what the narrative on social media suggests,” Gill said.
India’s Struggle in the First ODI
On the field, India had a rough start. After being asked to bat first, the top order collapsed early. Rohit Sharma managed only eight runs before Josh Hazlewood dismissed him. Virat Kohli was bowled out for a duck by Mitchell Starc, while Shubman Gill fell for 10 after being caught down the leg side off Nathan Ellis.
The match marked the international return of both Rohit and Kohli after almost eight months. Despite the poor start, their comeback generated excitement among fans.
India handed a debut to all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, while Australia gave ODI caps to Matthew Renshaw and Mitchell Owen.
Team Spirit Shines Despite Tough Start
Even though India struggled on the field, the dressing-room scenes showed a united team. The rain break offered a glimpse of friendly conversations and mutual respect among Rohit, Gill, and Gambhir—silencing all speculation about internal differences.